Electronic sound equipment

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to the electronic sound equipment which individually records and reproduces the instruments (sound sources) composing an orchestra or an assemble, and creates delicate and powerful sounds with clearly position of sound. It comprises the record and reproduction section with the same number of the channels as the music sources (including the case of one instrument for several channels), and at least one speaker (non directional speaker system is recommended) for each channel of this record and reproduction section, characterized in by placing the speakers freely on the wall, floor or ceiling, the music scene which is extremely close to a live performance is reproduced at a hall or at home.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to the electronic sound equipment whichrecords, generates and reproduces sound field which is close to a liveperformance or more effective at home, a concert hall, or on a field.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] A prior sound equipment such as a stereo is to reproduce a soundfrom music source recorded in record mediums such as a record, amagnetic tape, and a CD, and a sound from a synthesizer. Such equipmentin principle records the sound which is picked up by the microphonesthrough two systems (two channels) of right and left, (or the soundwhich is mixed up into two systems by synthesizer and others) andreproduces a sound scene by outputting the sound through the speakers ofthe two systems (two channels).

[0005] Currently the sound system for movie theaters has severalchannels to produce the sound of a car and a train passing through, butthe system to make sound positions is the same as said two-channelsystem in principle. In other words, the difference of strength andphase of sounds through two speakers produces a sound position and asound scene .

[0006] The sounds generated from tens and hundreds of instruments (soundsources) such as in orchestra, are mixed and recorded as the signals oftwo channels, and this sound of two-channel is reproduced through thetwo speakers as if those sound sources exist before one's eyes insimulation. The multitudinous sound source produced by a synthesizerwhich produces artificial sounds of various instruments is also mixeddown into two systems (two channels) by a mixer and others to berecorded and reproduced in the same way mentioned above.

[0007] However, since all sound sources are recorded and reproduced asthe signals of two channels, it is difficult to reproduce delicatesounds like the sound generated when a resin coated violin bow rubsstrings or powerful sounds, which cannot be heard at all other than alive performance. Also because of said reproduction system of twochannels, the sounds are unstable for lacking of the clearness of thesound source and the definite position, and for spreading too widely orbeing missed out in the middle. Especially, the difference of listeningposition or volume of the sounds make these phenomena stand out.

[0008] Considering above points, this invention aims to provide theelectronic sound equipment avoiding the foregoing problems, whichrecords and reproduces each individual instrument (sound source)composing such as an orchestra and an ensemble, and creates delicate andpowerful sounds and sound scenes with clear sound positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] This invention comprises a record and reproduction section whichhas the same number of channels as the sound sources (including aninstrument with several channels) and more than one speaker system foreach channel (especially non-direction speaker system is recommended.The speaker system is expressed just as a speaker hereinafter), andcharacterized in by putting the speakers any places such as on the wall,floor, and ceiling, in other words, by actually placing the sound inspace, reproducing or newly creating a sound scene. Thus, it is composedto reproduce a sound which is extremely close to a live performance at ahall, at home or on a field.

[0010] The invention according to claim 2 is fitted with the largevolume cut safety device in the multi-channel processor between therecord and reproduction section and the speakers to avoid excess soundsby troubles of the system or noises which cannot be accepted physicallyby listeners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing this invention briefly,

[0012]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of theprocessor, and

[0013]FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the processor fitted with thelarge volume cut safety device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] This invention is explained in detail based on the attacheddrawings.

[0015]FIG. 1 shows a typical organization of an orchestra.

[0016] Although there are various ways to compose an orchestra 1, it istypically organized with stringed instruments consisting of a violin, aviola, a cello, a contrabass and a harp, wind instruments consisting ofa trumpet, a clarinet, a flute, a trombone, a bassoon and an oboe, andpercussion instruments consisting of a timpani and others, and eachindividual instrument is considered as an important sound source 2 ₁, 2₂ . . . 2 _(n).

[0017] Although the number of each sound source 2 ₁, 2 ₂ . . . 2 _(n).is not described in the figure, it is composed with a large number ofinstruments.

[0018] The sound from said sound source 2 ₁, 2 ₂ . . . 2 _(n) iscollected through the same number of microphones 3 ₁, 3 ₂ . . . 3 _(n).as the sound source, and carried into pre-amps for the microphones 4 ₁,4 ₂ . . . 4 _(n), adjusted to the audio signal of regulated level(analog signal or digital signal) where the MIDI signal is added to eachchannel (this is not necessarily), and then recorded by themulti-channel record and reproduction equipment 5 with the same numberof channels as the sound source 2 ₁, 2 ₂ . . . 2 _(n)(by analog systemor digital system).

[0019] The multi-channel record and reproduction equipment 5 does notneed to comprise physically the same number of recording trucks aschannels because it has enough recording and reproducing buffers so thatforegoing numbers of channels separately and independently when itrecords or reproduces and that said channels respectively can record andreproduce at once.

[0020] The multi-channel record and reproduction equipment 5 can createand reproduce multi-channel record mediums such as magnetic tape, CD,hard disk and memory card.

[0021] Since the figure shown in the embodiment is based on a logicalconcept, it shows the situation when sounds are recorded from orchestra,but it is naturally possible to record each sound source separately intime and in space.

[0022] Said sound source can be taken out from the synthesizer 6(including what is called sound sources or samplers) as shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The synthesizer 6 is an electronic instrument which has a networkthat generates various sounds depend on the player's intentions or thecomputer commands (sequencers), and the audio signal and the MIDI signalcan be taken out from the synthesizer 6 to record and reproduce in thesame way mentioned above.

[0023] The feature of the synthesizer 6 mentioned above in thisinvention is comprising the ports which can output the same number ofinstruments (timbrels) independently at once. Even with a currentsynthesizer with a few ports, the multi-channel record and reproductionequipment 5 can record the necessary number of music instrumentsrepeatedly, so when it comes to reproducing, it can reproduce the soundsfrom all the necessary music instruments at once.

[0024] The audio signal (the MIDI signal) recorded in a record medium ofthe multi-channel record and reproduction equipment 5 is reproduced inthe same section 5, and put out from the speakers 8 ₁, 8 ₂ . . . 8 _(n)through the processor 7 (including controller, effector, switches,pre-amp, output amplifier, and the large volume cut safety device asnecessary) shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2. The speakers 8 ₁, 8 ₂ . . . 8_(n) are equipped by one or more to each channel in the same number asthe sound source 2 ₁, 2 ₂ . . . 2 _(n), so if there are 120 soundsources, for example, the number of the speakers will also be 120 ormore.

[0025] Also, it is possible that said multi-channel record andreproduction equipment 5 makes the sounds from a microphone or asynthesizer put out from the speakers 8 ₁, 8 ₂ . . . 8 _(n) through theprocessor 7 (including controller, effector, switcher, pre-amp, outputamplifier, and the large volume cut safety device as necessary) withoutgo through the recording or reproducing networks.

[0026] Said processor 7 naturally indicates the multi-channel processor,and it can work with the each channel separately at once. As shown inFIG. 2, the processor 7 is composed with the following sections; theinput switching mode selecting and mixing control section 7 a where theoutput signal of the audio signal or the MIDI signal from the microphone2 or the synthesizer 6 is switched or mixed, the effecting section 7 bwhere the audio signal from each channel is processed to create variouseffects, the switching section 7 c where the speaker to put out thesound of the channel is selected and set (It is switched by thedesignated channel signal which is attached to each sound source. Thisis not necessarily by the designated channel signal and manual switch isalso used), the pre-amp section 7 d which has the same number of thepre-amp as said channels, and the main (output) amplifier section 7 e,characterized in comprising the same number of connectors of speakersfor output lines as speakers corresponding to the number of saidchannel.

[0027] Each part, 7 a-7 e, of said processor 7 is an independent moduleand physically separated, and it can be connected each other with thesame number of wire or wireless lines as the channels.

[0028] Said processor 7 has another advantageous feature when the outputfrom an amplifier or a speaker of one or more channels is not enough,other amplifiers or speakers of other channels around it can be set tosupport the output.

[0029] As shown in the FIG. 3, the large volume cut safety device can beplaced between the pre-amp section 7 d and the main (output) amplifiersection 7 e to prevent speakers outputting the too loud sound for humanbeings to tolerate. Said device is composed with the control section 7 fwhere the total sound level for each channel in an appropriate timeframe is calculated, and the switching section 7 g where the channelsare cut actually. The safety level can be raised by placing theswitching section 7 g at the output side of the main amplifier section 7e.

[0030] Said control section 7 f can have the function of the signaldelaying section 7 h to each channel depending on the control time whichis necessary to calculate. Whether cutting the channels entirely orpartly depends on the way of control, and so does the revival way.

[0031] This invention has another feature that it can also cover theformer system of the theory with two channels for record and twochannels for reproduction. Accordingly, by using the former system toinside or outside of this system at the same time, they can improve eachother as a mutual effect. Especially, the effect of a reverberation is aremarkable point of in the system of the present invention.

[0032] Therefore, the speakers at home, at a concert hall, or on a fieldshould be placed which could be rearranged freely by preference(including physical movement and movement by replacing into inputterminal) depend on purposes.

[0033] Now the using modes of the equipment is expressed.

[0034] (1) When there is an actual sound source (music instrument).

[0035] a) Recording mode

[0036] Sound source 2 ₁→Microphone 3 ₁→Record and reproduction equipment5 (music instrument)

[0037] Sound source 2 ₂→Microphone 3 ₂→Record and reproduction equipment5 (music instrument)

[0038] Sound source 2 ₃→Microphone 3 ₃→Record and reproduction equipment5 (music instrument)

[0039] Sound source 2 _(n)→Microphone 3 _(n)→Record and reproductionequipment 5 (music instrument)

[0040] b) Reproduction mode

[0041] Record and reproduction equipment 5 ₁→Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₁

[0042] Record and reproduction equipment 5 ₂→Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₂

[0043] Record and reproduction equipment 5 ₃→Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₃

[0044] Record and reproduction equipment 5 _(n)→Processor 7→Speaker 8_(n) Or

[0045] Sound source 2 ₁→Microphone 3 ₁→Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₁ (musicinstrument)

[0046] Sound source 2 ₂→Microphone 3 ₂→Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₂ (musicinstrument)

[0047] Sound source 2 ₃→Microphone 3 ₃ →Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₃ (musicinstrument)

[0048] Sound source 2 ₃→Microphone 3 _(n) →Processor 7→Speaker 8 _(n)(music instrument)

[0049] (2) Record and reproduction mode with the sound source (musicinstrument) of a synthesizer and others are as follows.

[0050] a) Record mode

[0051] Sound source (synthesizer)→Effector for synthesizer→Record andreproduction equipment 5

[0052] Sound source (synthesizer)→Effector for synthesizer→Record andreproduction equipment 5

[0053] Sound source (synthesizer)→Effector for synthesizer→Record andreproduction equipment 5

[0054] Sound source (synthesizer)→Effector for synthesizer→Record andreproduction equipment 5

[0055] b) Reproduction mode.

[0056] Record and reproduction equipment 5→Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₁

[0057] Record and reproduction equipment 5→Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₂

[0058] Record and reproduction equipment 5→Processor 7→Speaker 8 ₃

[0059] Record and reproduction equipment 5→Processor 7→Speaker 8 _(n) Or

[0060] Sound source (synthesizer)→Processor 7→Record and reproductionequipment 5

[0061] Sound source (synthesizer)→Processor 7→Record and reproductionequipment 5

[0062] Sound source (synthesizer)→Processor 7→Record and reproductionequipment 5

[0063] Sound source (synthesizer)→Processor 7→Record and reproductionequipment 5

[0064] The reproduction mode can rearrange the connection between thespeakers and sound sources momentary. For example, it is possible tochange an arrangement of the music instruments entirely in the middle ofthe music.

[0065] As described above, this invention comprises the record andreproduction section with the same number of channels as music source,and equips one or more speaker for each of those channels. Since eachspeaker can be placed at any place, it is possible to rearrange theactual music source depend on purposes, which create an entirely newfield of music as a result.

[0066] Since each sound source (music instrument) can be easily fittedwith the adequate speakers in peculiarity, it can create a delicate andpowerful music scene that is extremely close to a live performance.

[0067] In addition, new effects in visual can be provided by designingthe speakers into the shapes of music instruments, or robots playingmusic. Also the multi-channel recordings in general require a mixer tothe compounding operations and works of mixing down, but it can beomitted in this invention.

[0068] Because it is possible to create and reproduce the records andrecord mediums which has same number of channels as the music sources,each sound can be individually processed later. Accordingly, the soundand music data in this invention can add their values, which willincrease the utility value when a database is constructed.

[0069] Excluding the external recording equipment comprising themechanical mobile section in the system and the main amplifier, theequipment of the present invention can be accumulated on one or severaltips.

[0070] The invention has the large volume cut safety device between themulti-channel processor and the record and reproduction section toprevent too loud sound which cannot be accepted by human beingsphysically by system troubles or noises.

[0071] Industrial Applicability

[0072] As described above, the electronic sound equipment in the presentinvention is utilized in orchestra or in the simulation of the formerorchestra. It can have music halls used more often, and is utilized forimprovement of music education and training of conductors. It is alsoutilized as a new instruments which is not found in the former soundequipment. The equipment is proper in all kinds of music whether it is apopular music and classical music.

[0073] Also the electronic sound equipment in the present invention canomit the compounding operations and works of mixing down by a mixer inthe multi-channel recordings, create and reproduce the records andrecord mediums which has same number of channels as the music sources,increase the value of the sound and music data. Thus it can increase theutility value in constructing a database. Also the equipment of thepresent invention can be accumulated on one or several tips excludingthe external recording equipment comprising the mechanical mobilesection in the system, and the main amplifier (output amplifier).

What is claimed is
 1. The electronic sound equipment characterizing incomprising a record and reproduction section with the same number ofchannels as sound sources and at least one speaker for each channel. 2.The electronic sound equipment according to claim 1 characterizing inthat a large volume cut safety system is fitted to the multi-channelprocessor between the record and reproduction section and the speakers.